2025 High School Winners

Lynette Mujaasi Kaye is a 9th-grade student at Viva College School in Uganda. When Lynette saw the topic of sanitation in the World of 8 Billion video contest, it immediately resonated with her. This issue is one she’s seen firsthand in her own community, where crowded households often lack access to clean and private latrines. She noted that open defecation and high population density were leading to health concerns, especially for children. Lynette felt passionate about speaking up and raising awareness about this issue, and her video became an outlet for change.

While she was aware of the sanitation challenges around her, the research she did for the contest deepened her understanding of how these issues connect to population growth. She was surprised to learn that reducing poverty and even open defecation often start with investing in girls and women. “It feels like it’s achievable,” she said, “but it’s not happening fast enough in countries like mine.” She found hope in the idea that awareness—especially among youth—could help spark action. Even though it was a school holiday and she undertook this project alone, Lynette chose to follow her mother’s encouragement and create a video. “It wasn’t that bad,” she said. “I found that I could raise my voice and do it myself.”

Lynette had never made a video for an international competition before, but she’s no stranger to storytelling: she volunteers as a writer for a menstrual health nonprofit and intends to continue to use her voice to raise awareness to promote social justice. She also has experience as a young entrepreneur, running a small bracelet business and creating videos to raise awareness of her cause.

Outside of school, Lynette enjoys swimming, researching social issues, and participating in a school clothing design club. She hopes to become a lawyer one day—and maybe a journalist too. She is particularly passionate about using storytelling as a tool to raise awareness about inadequate living conditions, such as the lack of proper sanitation facilities. Lynette plans to use the prize money to help pay her school fees and wants to donate a portion to a local nonprofit. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue making videos and volunteering with organizations working on similar issues. “Seven out of ten girls in Uganda don’t finish primary school,” she said. “I feel lucky to have made it this far, and I want to use that opportunity to make a difference.”